E.CHRIST. · RATH

Rath

Castlereagh, Northern Ireland
NISMR MonID 6428
Period
E.CHRIST.
Site type
RATH
Nation
Northern Ireland
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR)

Overview

History & significance

Rath is an Early Christian ringfort located in Castlereagh, County Down, Northern Ireland. The site comprises a circular or oval earthwork consisting of one or more banks and ditches, a form of defensive settlement common throughout Ireland during the Early Christian period, roughly from the fifth to twelfth centuries. Raths of this type typically served as the fortified homesteads of local landowners and their families, and often contain evidence of domestic occupation and economic activity. The Castlereagh example represents the archaeological remains of this settlement tradition in the greater Belfast area.

Rath is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 6428. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Rath?

Rath is an Early Christian ringfort located in Castlereagh, County Down, Northern Ireland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 6428.

What period does Rath date from?

Rath dates from the e.christ. period, and is classified as a rath. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.

Who is responsible for protecting Rath?

Rath is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Ni. The official designation reference is 6428.

What other scheduled monuments are near Rath?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Barrow (1.4 km), Rath (2.5 km), Belvoir park mound. motte (3.2 km).

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